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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
If you're scared of heights, it may be time to look away now.Not content with having the tallest building in America, the owners of Sears Tower in Chicago have installed four glass box viewing platforms which stick out of the building 103 floors up.
The balconies are suspended 1,353 feet in the air and jut out four feet from the building's Skydeck.
Fearless: Anna Kane, five, spreads out on the floor of the 10ft square box which is 1,353ft up
Spectacular: She also enjoyed amazing views out across the city'At first I was kind of afraid but I got used to it', 10-year-old Adam Kane from Alton, Illinois, said as clouds drifted by below.
'Look at all those tiny things that are usually huge.' John Huston, one of the owners of the Sears Tower, even admitted to getting 'a little queasy' the first time he ventured out on to the balcony. However, after 30 or 40 trips, he seems to have got used to it.
Thrillseekers: The boxes jut out four feet from the building and were specifically designed to make visitors feel as if they are floating
'The Sears Tower has always been about superlatives - tallest, largest, most iconic,' he said.'The Ledge is the world's most awesome view, the world's most precipitous view, the view with the most wow in the world.'
The balconies are 10ft high and 10ft wide, can hold five tons, and have glass which is 1.5 inch thick
Unfazed: Although some adults felt dizzy after experiencing the Ledge, children seemed to take it in their stride
Long way up: Even the floor of the platforms are glass - few were brave enough to look straight downInspiration came from the hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind on Skydeck windows every week. Now, staff will have a new glass surface to clean: floors.
Architect Ross Wimer said: 'We did studies that showed a four-foot-deep (1.2 metres) enclosure makes you feel like you're floating since there's only room for one row of people, not two.'
The Skydeck attracts 25,000 visitors on clear days. They each pay $15 to take an elevator ride up to the 103rd floor of the 110-story office building that opened in 1973.
Towering: A view of the Sears Tower (black building in the foreground). The Ledge is on the 103rd floorRead More ->>
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Zam Zam Is a Unique Water:
In 1971, an Egyptian doctor wrote to the European Press, a letter saying that Zum-zum water was not fit for drinking purposes. I immediately thought that this was just a form of prejudice against the Muslims and that since his statement was based on
the assumption that since the Ka'aba was a shallow place (below sea level) and located in the center of the city of Makkah, the wastewater of the city collecting through the drains fell into well holding the water.
Fortunately, the news came to King Faisal's ears that got extremely angry and decided to disprove the Egyptian doctor's rovocative statement. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to investigate and send samples of Zum-zum water to European laboratories for testing the water. The ministry then instructed the Jeddah Power & Desalination Plant to carry out this task. I was employed as Desalting Engineer (Chemical Engineer) to produce drinking water from sea water). I was chosen to carry out this assignment. At this stage, I remember that I had no idea what the well holding the water looked like.
I went to Makkah and reported to the authorities at the Ka'aba explaining my purpose of visit. They deputed a man to give me whatever help was required. When we reached the well, it was hard for me to believe that a
pool of water, more like a small pond, about 18 by 14 feet, was the well that supplied millions of gallons of water every year to hajjis ever since it came into existence at the time of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S., many, many centuries ago.
I started my investigations and took the dimensions of the well. I asked the man to show me the depth of the well. First he took a shower and descended into the water. Then he straightened his body. I saw that the water level came up to just above his shoulders. His height was around five feet, eight inches. He then started moving from one corner to the other in the well (standing all the while since he was not allowed to dip his head into the water) in search of any inlet or pipeline inside the well to see from where
the water came in. However, the man reported that he could not find any inlet or pipeline inside the well.
I thought of another idea. The water could be with drawn rapidly with the help of a big transfer pump which was installed at the well for the Zum-zum water storage tanks. In this way, the water level would drop enabling us to locate the point of entry of the water. Surprisingly, nothing was observed during the pumping period, but I knew that this was the only method by which you could find the entrance of the water to the well. So I decided to repeat the process. But this time I instructed the man to stand still at one place and carefully observe any unusual thing happening inside the well. After a while, he suddenly raised his hands and shouted, "Alhamdollillah! I have found it. The sand is dancing beneath my feet as the water oozes out of the bed of the well." Then he moved around the well during the pumping period and noticed the same phenomenon everywhere in the well. Actually the flow of water into the well through the bed was equal at every point, thus keeping the level of the water steady.
After I finished my observations I took the samples of the water for European laboratories to test. Before I left the Ka'aba, I asked the authorities about the other wells around Makkah. I was told that these wells were mostly dry. When I reached my office in Jeddah I reported my findings to my boss who listened with great interest but made a very irrational comment that the Zum-zum well could be internally connected to the Red Sea . How was it possible when Makkah is about 75 kilometers away from the sea and the wells located before the city usually remains dry? The results of the water samples tested by the European laboratories and the one we analyzed in our own laboratory were found to be almost identical. The difference between Zum-zum water and other water (city water) was in the quantity of calcium and magnesium salts. The content of these was slightly higher in Zum-zum water. This may be why this water refreshes tired hajjis, but more significantly, the water contains fluorides that have an effective germicidal action. Moreover, the remarks of the European laboratories showed that the water was fit for drinking.
Hence the statement made by the Egyptian doctor was proved false. When this was reported to King Faisal he was extremely pleased and ordered the contradiction of the report in the European Press. In a way, it was a blessing that this study was undertaken to show the chemical composition of the water. In fact, the more you explore, the more wonders surface and you find yourself believing implicitly in the miracles of this water that Allah bestowed as a gift on the faithful coming from far and wide to the desert land for pilgrimage.
Let me sum up some of the features of Zum-zum water.
This well has never dried up. On the contrary it has always fulfilled the demand for water.
It has always maintained the same salt composition and taste ever since it came into existence.
Its potability has always been universally recognised as pilgrims from all over the world visit Ka'aba every year for Hajj and umrah, but has never complained about it. Instead, they have always enjoyed the water that refreshes them.
Water tastes different at different places. Zum-zum water's appeal has always been universal.
This water has never been chemically treated or chlorinated as is the case with water pumped into the cities.
Biological growth and vegetation usually takes place in most wells. This makes the water unpalatable owing to the growth of algae causing taste and odor problems. But in the case of the Zum-zum water well, there wasn't any sign of biological growth.
Centuries ago, Hajra searched desperately for water in the hills of Safa and Marwa to give to her newly born son Ismail. As she ran from one place to another in search of water, her child rubbed his feet against the sand. A pool of water surfaced, and by the grace of Allah, shaped itself into a well which came to be called Zum-zum water.
In 1971, an Egyptian doctor wrote to the European Press, a letter saying that Zum-zum water was not fit for drinking purposes. I immediately thought that this was just a form of prejudice against the Muslims and that since his statement was based on
the assumption that since the Ka'aba was a shallow place (below sea level) and located in the center of the city of Makkah, the wastewater of the city collecting through the drains fell into well holding the water.
Fortunately, the news came to King Faisal's ears that got extremely angry and decided to disprove the Egyptian doctor's rovocative statement. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to investigate and send samples of Zum-zum water to European laboratories for testing the water. The ministry then instructed the Jeddah Power & Desalination Plant to carry out this task. I was employed as Desalting Engineer (Chemical Engineer) to produce drinking water from sea water). I was chosen to carry out this assignment. At this stage, I remember that I had no idea what the well holding the water looked like.
I went to Makkah and reported to the authorities at the Ka'aba explaining my purpose of visit. They deputed a man to give me whatever help was required. When we reached the well, it was hard for me to believe that a
pool of water, more like a small pond, about 18 by 14 feet, was the well that supplied millions of gallons of water every year to hajjis ever since it came into existence at the time of Hazrat Ibrahim A.S., many, many centuries ago.
I started my investigations and took the dimensions of the well. I asked the man to show me the depth of the well. First he took a shower and descended into the water. Then he straightened his body. I saw that the water level came up to just above his shoulders. His height was around five feet, eight inches. He then started moving from one corner to the other in the well (standing all the while since he was not allowed to dip his head into the water) in search of any inlet or pipeline inside the well to see from where
the water came in. However, the man reported that he could not find any inlet or pipeline inside the well.
I thought of another idea. The water could be with drawn rapidly with the help of a big transfer pump which was installed at the well for the Zum-zum water storage tanks. In this way, the water level would drop enabling us to locate the point of entry of the water. Surprisingly, nothing was observed during the pumping period, but I knew that this was the only method by which you could find the entrance of the water to the well. So I decided to repeat the process. But this time I instructed the man to stand still at one place and carefully observe any unusual thing happening inside the well. After a while, he suddenly raised his hands and shouted, "Alhamdollillah! I have found it. The sand is dancing beneath my feet as the water oozes out of the bed of the well." Then he moved around the well during the pumping period and noticed the same phenomenon everywhere in the well. Actually the flow of water into the well through the bed was equal at every point, thus keeping the level of the water steady.
After I finished my observations I took the samples of the water for European laboratories to test. Before I left the Ka'aba, I asked the authorities about the other wells around Makkah. I was told that these wells were mostly dry. When I reached my office in Jeddah I reported my findings to my boss who listened with great interest but made a very irrational comment that the Zum-zum well could be internally connected to the Red Sea . How was it possible when Makkah is about 75 kilometers away from the sea and the wells located before the city usually remains dry? The results of the water samples tested by the European laboratories and the one we analyzed in our own laboratory were found to be almost identical. The difference between Zum-zum water and other water (city water) was in the quantity of calcium and magnesium salts. The content of these was slightly higher in Zum-zum water. This may be why this water refreshes tired hajjis, but more significantly, the water contains fluorides that have an effective germicidal action. Moreover, the remarks of the European laboratories showed that the water was fit for drinking.
Hence the statement made by the Egyptian doctor was proved false. When this was reported to King Faisal he was extremely pleased and ordered the contradiction of the report in the European Press. In a way, it was a blessing that this study was undertaken to show the chemical composition of the water. In fact, the more you explore, the more wonders surface and you find yourself believing implicitly in the miracles of this water that Allah bestowed as a gift on the faithful coming from far and wide to the desert land for pilgrimage.
Let me sum up some of the features of Zum-zum water.
This well has never dried up. On the contrary it has always fulfilled the demand for water.
It has always maintained the same salt composition and taste ever since it came into existence.
Its potability has always been universally recognised as pilgrims from all over the world visit Ka'aba every year for Hajj and umrah, but has never complained about it. Instead, they have always enjoyed the water that refreshes them.
Water tastes different at different places. Zum-zum water's appeal has always been universal.
This water has never been chemically treated or chlorinated as is the case with water pumped into the cities.
Biological growth and vegetation usually takes place in most wells. This makes the water unpalatable owing to the growth of algae causing taste and odor problems. But in the case of the Zum-zum water well, there wasn't any sign of biological growth.
Centuries ago, Hajra searched desperately for water in the hills of Safa and Marwa to give to her newly born son Ismail. As she ran from one place to another in search of water, her child rubbed his feet against the sand. A pool of water surfaced, and by the grace of Allah, shaped itself into a well which came to be called Zum-zum water.
Read More ->>
World Largest Passenger Ship:The world's largest passenger vessel, she can accommodate over 4,300 passengers on her fifteen passenger decks, served by over 1300 crew.
She is about 229 ft. longer, about 108,000 gross tons larger, and can accommodate 2,147 more passengers than RMS Titanic. Her operating costs are $1 million per day. Rooms for the maiden voyage were priced from $1,900 to $22,000 for the week. As routine service continues, starting room rates are expected to descend as low as $700 for cruises scheduled in the autumn of 2007. The ship consumes approximately 28,000 gallons of fuel per hour.
Facilities:
The ship features three swimming areas; an interactive water park, a dedicated adult pool and the main pool. There are 2 whirlpools cantilevered out from the ship's sides. The Royal Promenade sports a coffee shop, Sorrento's Pizzeria, a Ben and Jerry's ice-cream shop, Vintage's winery, the Bull and Bear Irish pub, and many Duty-free shops.
The 13th deck features a sports area with amenities such as a rock climbing wall, the Flow Rider (an on board wave generator for surfing), a miniature golf course and a full size basketball court. Other items include an ice skating rink, a casino, a Johnny Rockets, Wi-Fi capabilities throughout the ship, flat panel televisions in all staterooms, and cell phone connectivity.
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World,s biggest soccer ball:
The soccer ball sculpture that had been constructed at Telkom’s Lukasrand tower, in Pretoria, has set a Guinness World Record in the ‘largest football sculpture’ category, while a second similar structure at Telkom’s Hillbrow tower, in Johannesburg, was under construction.
The 50-t structure in Pretoria was constructed out of fibreglass shells that were mounted on and supported by steel frames on the inside. It measures about 24 m in diameter and is eight storeys high, making it larger than any structure of its kind in South Africa and on the African continent, the fixed-line operator said on Thursday.
“As a national supporter of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Telkom is confident that this initiative will engender greater public support and excitement ahead of this year’s final draw on December 4, in Cape Town, and the world’s largest football showpiece to be hosted in South Africa next year,” Telkom Group CEO Reuben September commented.
The operator had consulted the South African National Defence Force, the Civil Aviation Authority, the South African National Roads Agency, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and resident’s associations, about the project before the start of construction.
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A company is opening what it says will be the world's largest confectionery (Candy) store in Dubai as it looks to tap demand from the Gulf Arab region's hunger for candy.
Candylicious, which initially opens in one of the world's largest shopping centers, The Dubai Mall, is also planning a second store in Singapore early next year, Sunaina Gill, director of Retail Is Detail, a Singaporean family business in Dubai said.
"We are planning 10-15 stores in the Gulf Arab region over the next 3-5 years, with additional stores to open in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the next 12 months," said Gill.
Dubai, the tourism and trade hub of the Middle East, already has the world's tallest skyscraper and one of the longest driver less train systems globally after investing billions of dollars to propel the emirate on to the international map during a six-year oil-fueled boom.
Dubai is an ideal place for the store, said Gill, adding there was a gap and sufficient demand in the market for a confectionery store of this type, especially with 30 million visitors a year expected to visit the Dubai Mall.
Gill said the group, which will sell everything from chocolates, soda and popcorn, was aiming for sales of $10 million annually.
In addition to its sweets, the 10,000 square foot store features a huge 10-meter singing chocolate tree decorated with lollipops.
Customers will not need to necessarily have venture into the store to taste the candy. The store will also employ "Candylicious Junior", a car that will circle the mall.
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
The exact cause of BSE is not known but it is generally accepted by the scientific community that the likely cause of BSE is cannibalism, which resulted in infectious forms of a type of protein, prions, normally found in animals. In cattle with BSE, these abnormal prions initially occur in the small intestines and tonsils, and are found in central nervous tissues, such as the brain and spinal cord, and other tissues of infected animals experiencing later stages of the disease.
Some rumors, which we will not hush up at Crazy News, say that cannibalism is the real cause in this case. According to these rumors Michael Jackson ate the foremost parts of his nose. This would have caused the formation of the malicious prions, and the beginning of the Mad Cow Disease.
There is no need to panic about this severe disease. It is very rare and the FDA and other federal agencies have had preventive measures in place to reduce the U.S. consumer's risk of exposure to any BSE-contaminated meat and food products. However, if you suffer from the combination of the same symptoms as Michael Jackson, you are strongly advised to contact the medical assistance immediately.
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Did you always have troubles to mow your grass? With this extraordinary mowing-machine, all your troubles will be gone in the minute.
This ultramodern invention needs no electricity cables, in fact it doesn't need any electricity at all! And no, it will never run out of gas, because it can run without it!
Aren't you convinced yet? Then this magnificent feature will convince you. This invention runs automatically, I mean, you don't have to do anything, you don't even have to configure it. It does all the work alone. You can just lay on your bed and relax!
This means that this mowing-machine is ideal for all those who hate to mow their grass, for those who always mow through their electricity cables and for those who have annoying neighbors. Annoying neighbors? I'll explain it. This invention makes almost no noise at all, that means no neighbors complaining. Simple, isn't it?
And what does this mowing machine need in order to work correctly, are you asking yourself now? Well, in fact, except for the grass and the water, it needs nothing at all. It only produces a white liquid, a real gift from heaven. You can drink it warm, cold or even make cheese of it. Isn't that great!
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